Compressor housing fabricated from prefabricated sheet metal components



United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Priority COMPRESSOR HOUSING FABRICATED FROMPREFABRICATED SHEET METAL COMPONENTS Primary E.raminer- Robert M. WalkerA tto r ney Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato ABSTRACT: Acompressor housing fabricated from sheet metal components which areassembled together. The comnents can be made of thinner metallic sheetmaterial than heretofore possible and constitute components defining twoparallel walls defining a partially enclosed space within which isinserted an up-ended band defining within this space chambers whichfunction in use as silencing chambers. The comnents jointly define acylindrical recess within which is in- W serted a pre-fabricated sleeveforming a cylinder. The parallel 6clalms4nrawmg Flgs' 'walls are eachprovided with an opening coaxial with said US. Cl 92/161, band, and abearing sleeve is attached to at least one of the 417/3 l2 parallelwalls coaxial with the opening thereon. Int. Cl F04b 39/12 Thecomponents are prefabricated independently and as- Field of Search230/58, sembled without need of tools for assembly. They are soldered232, 238 or otherwise fixed in assembly without fastensers.

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COMPRESSOR HOUSING FABRICATED FROM PREFABRICATED SHEET METAL COMPONENTSThis invention relates generally to compressors and more particularly torefrigerant compressors in which essential parts consist of sheet metal,and to a method of manufacturing such compressors.

In the known refrigerant compressors, essential parts of which consistof sheet metal, two problems are encountered among others. First, arigid structure must be achieved, notwithstanding the employment ofsheet metal, a comparatively thin material. Secondly, assembly of theparts should be simple enough to be carried out with a minimum ofauxiliary tools. Special problems are encountered with regard to thecylinder which must be connected to other compressor components asrigidly as possible.

It is known to telescope two substantially cylindrical sheet metalcomponents which have outward bends, and to form between them silencerchambers and valve chambers. The cylinder is in such cases provided withan extension engaging the valve mechanism and is supported by the twocylindrical parts in conjunction with a collar provided on the cylinder.This arrangement is braced by a pot-shaped insert which supports theshaft bearing. However, this construction is not very rigid. Assembly ofsuch components requires a comparatively large number ofjigs and tools.

It is also known to produce a motor support for refrigerant compressorsin the form of two telescoped sheet metal pots with silencing chambersbeing formed between their end faces. While this provides a rigidsupport structure, difficulties are encountered in the attachment ofthecylinder.

The present invention has as a principal object to point out ways ofproducing a compressor, from sheet metal components, which is rigid andcan be manufactured without assembly problems.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that, between twosubstantially parallel walls, are arranged a cylindrical bushing and anup-ended support band the ends of which bear on both sides ofthecylinder; the rest ofthe band is bent in the shape ofa ring.

This results in a very rigid latticed construction in which thecylindrical bushing, the circumferential wall portion and the supportband are arranged between the parallel walls. The cylindrical bushing isthus supported on all sides, i.e. on two sides by the parallel walls andon the remaining two sides by the support band.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support band is providedwith external bends which form radial struts extending outwardly as faras the circumferential wall portion. These external bends or folds ofthe support band give increased rigidity and fix the support band, andthus the cylinder, in the correct position relative to thecircumferential wall portion, so that it is possible to effect assemblywithout auxiliary tools at least with regard to these components.Moreover, sealed chambers are formed between the components which mayserve as silencing chambers.

Support of a cylindrical bushing or sleeve is preferably ob tained byproviding cylindrical recesses in the parallel walls. This reduces therequired overall height of the structure outside the cylinder.Furthermore, the cylinder is thus accurately positioned relative to theparallel wall portions. Since the relative positions of cylinder,support band and circumferential wall portion are likewise accuratelysecured, precise positional co-ordination of all parts is ensured. It isadvisable, furthermore, for the cylinder sleeve to be not only inlinear, but in surface contact with the parallel wall portions.

The last-mentioned advantage may also be achieved with regard to theremaining cylinder circumference if the two ends of the support band arelikewise provided with, preferably cylindrical, recesses.

The relative position of the parts can be additionally secured if one ofthe parallel wall portions is integral with another component. Thus, forexample, the circumferential wall portion and one of the parallel wallportions may be integral with one another, so that a pot-shapedcomponent is obtained. The other parallel wall may then be substitutedby the carrying element supporting the motor, for example.

Alternatively, the two parallel walls are constructed in the form of aU-shaped sheet metal element. In this other embodiment thecircumferential wall portions may likewise consist of an up-endedannular band placed between parallel wall portions. Assembly is effectedsimply by sliding the cylinder bushing or sleeve, the support band andthe circumferential band into the U-shaped sheet metal element.Moreover, the U- shaped sheet metal element may have bent lugs forfastening the stator of the drive motor and a central depression inwhich a bearing can be accommodated. It thus also assumes the functionof a motor-supporting element.

In some cases it may be advantageous to place the parallel ends ofanother up-ended, substantially annular, band between the support bandand the cylinder. This inner band enables the space between the parallelwalls to be subdivided into still more chambers usable as silencerchambers. Moreover, rigidity can be an extent that, at least partially,thinner sheet metal parts can be used.

The invention provides a vent, which preferably faces the motor winding,which may be provided between the walls of one of the radial bends orstruts of the support band, and an oil guard may be fitted between thisvent and the crank pin. Such a vent is surrounded on three sides by thesupport band while, on the fourth side, it is covered by the oil guard.The guard plate may be supported directly by the support band.Consequently, the vent region is not accessible to oil and cannot clogup with oil.

In another embodiment of the invention both parallel wall portionsprovide bearings for a drive crank shaft. Since two such parallel wallportions, at a pre-determined distance from one another, are availablein the shape of a very rigid structure, they can, of course, serve as asafe support for the shaft.

The method of the invention for manufacturing a compressor of this typeis characterized in that at least the support band is pre-fabricated insuch a way as to contact its supports resiliently, and in that thecomponents are brazed in this condition. If, during assembly, thesupport band bears resiliently on the cylindrical bushing and thecircumferential wall portion, or the parallel wall portions bearresiliently on the components situated therebetween, accurate positionalco-ordination is obtained, and this condition cannot be disturbed byminor vibrations. Consequently, these parts can be assembled withoutauxiliary tools.

It is an advantage to connect some of the parts by tack welding prior tosoldering, or brazing in order to achieve the required spacing of thesoldering gap.

Other features and advantages of the compressor housing according to thepresent invention will be better understood as described in thefollowing specification and appended claims. in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. I is the cross-section view of a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a section view along the section line 2-2 of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of another embodiment of the invention,and

FIG. 4 is a plan view partially in section along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of FIGS. l and 2 a first wall portion 1 and acircumferential wall portion 2 are formed by a potshaped element 3. Asecond parallel wall portion 4, parallel with the first wall portion 1.forms part of a pot-shaped motor: supporting element 5. Each of theparallel walls is provided with a bearing aperture defined byprojections or offsets Mind 7 respectively. Attached to the latter is amain bearing 8. The two parallel wall portions 1 and 4 are also providedwith cylindrical parts 9 and i0, bent out of the plane of the remainingwall surface.

A cylindrical bushing 11 is held between the two parallel wall portions1 and 4 in the region of the cylindrical portions 9 and I0 and isprovided with an external flange 12. The remaining surfaces of thebushing 11 are engaged by two cylindrically shaped end portions 13 and14 of an up-ended support band 15. This support band is of substantiallyannular shape and has 3 external radial bends 16, 17 and 18 extending,in the shape of double walls, to the circumferential wall portion 2. Thesupport band 15 is preferably pre-fabricated with a bias such that itbears resiliently on the cylindrical bushing 11 and the circumferentialwall 2.

A vent-hole 19 is provided, IFIG. l, in the parallel wall portion 4 ofthe support element 5, within an external bend 18. its position isindicated by broken lines in FIG. 2 although it is not visible in thissectional representation. This aperture is screened, in a directionwhich is a direction toward the crankshaft, not shown, by a guard plate20 which is between the two lateral walls of the radial bend 18 whichassumes a clamping function. The guard plate has two webs 21, 22 whichdefine a venting slot 23. The upper web 21 projects radially farthertoward the center than the lower web 22. This largely prevents thevent-hole 19 from clogging up with oil.

The components constituting the various walls 1, 2, 4 and the supportband 15 form four sealed silencing chambers 24, 25, 26 and 27. Fromthese chambers, bores or openings 28 communicate with the outsidethrough the upper parallel wall portion 1. A channelled plate 29 coversthe upper parallel wall portion 1 externally. In this channelled plategroove-like recesses 30 act as throttle ducts or passages which, inconjunction with the bores 28, connect the chambers with one another andwith an antechamber 31, provided between an extentsion 32 of thechannelled plate 29 and part of the circumferential wall 2. Suctionrefrigerant gas can enter this antechamber through an orifice 33,provided in the support element 5.

The support element is also provided with means for the attachment of astator of a motor, not shown, and of suspension springs. However, theseparts have not been illustrated because they are not relevant to theinvention.

Assembly of this arrangement is effected by placing the support ringaround the cylindrical bushing or sleeve 11 and both components areinserted in the pot-shaped element 3. Then the oil guard is fitted intothe external bend 18. The components thus united occupy accuraterelative positions, without necessitating any additional measures. Thisassembly may be placed upon the support element 5 from above, accuratepositioning is achieved, due to the cylindrical recess 10 and the flange12. The channelled plate 29 is added from above. its position ispre-determined by the bearing aperture 6 and by the extension 32. Themain bearing 8 is attached to the support element 5 beforehand.

It becomes apparent that all essential parts of this arrangement canbeassembled without the aid of tools and nevertheless occupy the properrelative positions. The structure may then be placed in a solderingoven, not shown, perhaps after ensuring correct spacing of the solderinggaps by a tack welding operation and the parts soldered togehter bysolder placed in suitablesoldering positions. h k

in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, an upper parallel wall portion 34and a lower parallel wall portion 35 are provided in the shape of acommon U-shaped sheet metal element 36. The two parallel wall portions34 and 35 are connected to one another by a bridge 37 in the region ofthe cylinder end face. Cylindrical recesses defined by portions 38, 39are provided for accommodating a cylindrical bushing or sleeve 40.Sleeve bearings 41 and 42 are fitted to the upper and the lower parallelwall portions. Lugs 43, 44 are provided on both sides on the U-shapedsheet metal element 36 by bending. These lugs have fastening means, notshown, for the attachment of the stator of the drive motor and forsupport springs, not shown.

Between the two parallel wall portions 34, 35 are arranged threeup-ended bands 45, 46 and 47. The band 45 is the cir cumferential wallportion. The band 46 is a support means which bears directly on thecylindrical bushing or sleeve 40 with its ends and is bent in the shapeof a ring. The band 46 has outwardly radial bends or struts 48 andinwardly directed bends 49. The third band 47 is an internal band. itsends are curved cylindrically in the same way as those of the supportring 46. They are arranged between the cylindrical sleeve 40 and theends of the support band. The remaining portions of the band 47 arering-shaped.

The support band 46 is shaped in such a way that it bears on thecircumferential wall 45 with its outward struts or bends 48, and on theinternal band 47 with its inward bend 49. In this way, a number ofsealed silencing chambers are formed of which the chambers 50, 51 and 52have been indicated in the drawing. Connection between the severalchambers is by circular-arc pipe sections 53-56 which extend through andare held in the outward struts or bends 48.

Assembly is performed by, first, sliding the cylindrical bushing 40 intothe cylindrical recess defined by portions 38, 39 of the parallel wallportions 34 and 35. Then the internal wall portions 47, the support wall46, the pipes 53-56 and the circumferential wall portion 45 areassembled separately and inserted between the parallel wall portions 34and 35 from the side opposite the cylinder. Finally, the sleeve bearings41, 42 are fitted. Now the whole assembly can be brazed, without theindividual components having to be held together by means of anauxiliary tool.

The silencing chambers may be arranged in such a way that the suctiongas flows, through ports in the inner band 47 provided, for example, inthe shape of serrated apertures in the band edge, into the chambers 51and from there through the pipes 55, 56 into the chamber 52. From thelatter chamber it flows through the pipe 53 into the chamber 50 andthrough the pipe 54 into the opposite chamber. From the chamber 50 andthe opposite chamber the suction gas may proceed to the suction valvechamber through bores situated in the plane of the cylinder end face.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that many modifications and changes canbe made within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A fabricated compressor housing comprising a plurality ofindependently prefabricated metallic components assembled togetherwithout need of tools and fasteners into a whole comprising, aprefabricated component means defining two spaced parallel wallsdefining a space therebetween and a circumferential wall partiallyenclosing said space and having portions for defining a cylindricalrecess for receiving and holding therein a sleeve, a sleeve in saidrecess defining in use a cylinder of the compressor, an up-ended bandhaving radially projectingstruts disposed in said space between saidparallel walls and bearing on internal surfaces of said circumferentialwall dividing said space into separate chambers effective in use assilencing chambers and having a lateral extension for jointly with saidwall portions defining said recess into which said sleeve is received,said parallel walls each having an opening open into the interior ofsaid up-ended band, a bearing sleeve joined to one of said walls coaxialwith the opening therein, said band comprising folds externally thereofdefining said struts, and an oil guard in one of said struts, and saidcomponents being fixed in av rigid assembly free of fasteners.

2. A fabricated compressor housing according to Claim 1, in which saidcomponent means comprises two superimposed pot-shaped componentscomprising an upper pot-shaped component and a lower pot-shapedcomponent, said upper component having a side wall defining saidcircumferential wall, and said lower component having'a depending wallspaced from and outwardly of said bearing sleeve.

3. A fabricated compressor housing according to Claim 1, includingprefabricated arcuate pipes circumferentially of said band extendingthrough and held in position by said struts providing communication intorespective ones of said chambers.

4. A fabricated compressor housing according to Claim 1, in which saidcomponent means comprises a component U- shaped in vertical sectiondefining said parallel walls.

5. A fabricated compressor housing according to Claim 4,

6. A fabricated compressor housing according to Claim 5, in which saidU-shaped component comprises lugs for attachment of a motor, and a partthereof defining a central including another band defining jointly withsaid U-shaped 5 depresslonm which sald sleeve bearmgls fixed' componentsaid space about said up-ended band.

